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Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 9, 2014.

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Coburn withholds approval of new VA bill

07/29/14 10:56 PM

Most of the Republicans on the bipartisan conference committee were sufficiently satisfied with a bill overhauling the Veterans Affairs health care system to sign off on its final wording. But three Republican senators withheld their approval: John McCain, Marco Rubio, and Tom Coburn.

Senator McCain’s office did not provide an explanation as to why he did not sign this bill. He is an original sponsor of the Senate version, so there is no reason to think that he is against it.

Senator Rubio’s office replied to a TRMS query that the senator had to be out of town on a family matter. But he has every intention of signing it and he will vote for the bill.

TRMS reached out to Coburn on his objections to the current bill and received the following statement:

Instead of using the last six weeks to identify and compromise on ways to pay for giving our veterans freedom to choose and receive health care in the private sector, the conference committee has instead left the bill to future generations and decided to avoid paying for Congress’ decisions – business as usual in Congress.

Congressional failures put US at disadvantage

Rachel Maddow reports on how new tensions with Russia and immigration challenges are made more difficult by the failings of Congress to confirm ambassadors and pass legislation as it prepares for an extended August vacation.